OrthoCarolina Hip and Knee surgeons Brian Curtin, MD, Bo Mason, MD and Bryan Springer, MD traveled with a group of delegates from the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC January 27 to meet with legislative leaders about healthcare reform and patient access. The group specifically focused on concerns related to patient access to joint replacement surgery.

With the dramatic changes in healthcare over the last several years and even more changes expected, the physicians believe that a “value based” approach creates better outcomes, fewer complications and more economical delivery of care. However, one potential consequence of value based  models mandated today is they financially disincentive providers to care for complex patients. With a focus on minimizing complications, there is less incentive for hospitals and surgeons to take care of patients with medical conditions (comorbidities) that place them at higher risk of complications. 

Dr. Curtin, Dr. Mason, Dr. Springer and the delegation met with legislative leaders, including those from North Carolina, to discuss ways to prevent these patients from being denied care, and to search for alternative models that are inclusive of these challenging patients.  They sought to help create programs that assist patients with health optimization prior to surgery and institutionalized support for this complex care.  

Dr. Curtin currently serves as membership chair of AAHKS, Dr. Mason as Board member at Large and Dr. Springer as Education Council Chair. All three physicians currently practice at the OrthoCarolina Hip and Knee Center in Charlotte, NC.  

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